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Ruling's a Disappointment, not a Deterrent to Doing What's Right

By Dr. David C. Pate, News and Community

June 19, 2014

We are disappointed by the ruling from U.S. District Court Judge B. Lynn Winmill denying a stay pending appeal of his previous decision ordering full divestiture of our integration with Saltzer Medical Group.

St. Luke’s is considering the judge’s order and planning to seek a stay from the appellate court. The order does not give a timeline as to when St. Luke’s must complete its divestiture of Saltzer Medical Group.

Judge Winmill previously ruled that the affiliation between St. Luke’s and the Saltzer Medical Group was intended to improve patient outcomes – and that, if allowed to stand, it would have that effect.

We continue to believe that integration would result in greater access to care, better quality care, and lower healthcare costs, not only for the people of Canyon County, but for residents throughout the area. Today, other organizations are filing briefs in support of our appeal, including America’s Essential Hospitals, The International Center for Law and Economics, and The Medicaid Defense Fund.

One thing is certain: St. Luke’s remains committed to transforming the delivery of health care for the benefit of all the people we serve.

I appreciate your steady, unwavering focus on delivering care of the best quality, with the most compassion, for our patients and their families. Thank you.

About The Author

David C. Pate, M.D., J.D., is president and CEO of St. Luke's Health System, based in Boise, Idaho. Dr. Pate joined the System in 2009. He received his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and his law degree from the University of Houston Law Center.